The Cheyenne River Youth Project’s
Wo Otuh’an Wi, or “Moon of Giving Away Presents,” finally came to an end this past Friday, Jan. 15. Over the last several weeks, the nonprofit youth organization’s small staff just 10 people sorted, wrapped, and safely delivered thousands of gifts through curbside distributions, bringing Santa Claus to more than 265 families on the remote Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation.
“Christmas 2020 is officially done,” said Julie Garreau, CRYP’s executive director. “We delivered gifts for hundreds of children here on Cheyenne River, making sure that each one received four gifts from his or her unique ‘Dear Santa’ letter, as well as warm winter clothing. And due to the pandemic, we did it without any long-term or community volunteers for the first time in our 32-year history.